Black Hills Day

We arrived in Rapid City about 10 last night and the morning started with a drive near Custer State Park. This antelope was feeding next to the road... they are usually spooked by humans so I was happy to get this close.
Next we began to see Mt. Rushmore through some of the tunnels on the winding roads. It is neat how so many of the tunnels frame the heads of the presidents.
Of course the tunnels are a challenge for larger vehicles like this tour bus.
I took many pictures of Mt. Rushmore and here are a couple...

Then we headed to Sylvan Lake an area which Carrie loved to hike and climb as a kid. As we were passing through Hill City the old steam engine was taking off with its passengers.

Finally we headed to Spearfish and went through Spearfish Canyon and saw Bridal Veil Falls.

Tomorrow we are home, Lord willing... we have had a great two weeks with family and seeing the beautiful country we live in and the wonders of God's creation!

Long Haul to Rapid City

Today we delivered Carrie to the Denver Airport for her trip home to Hawaii. We had a great time with her and a wonderful time with family and friends the last week. The old, gnarled tree above was on the grounds of a National Historic Site near Guernsey, Wyoming, where we stopped on our way to Rapid City.
The trench in the following pictures was carved in solid rock by wagon wheels on the Oregon Trail near Guernsey. There are also initials carved in nearby rocks where the pioneers camped before crossing the North Platte River. It is pretty amazing. Perhaps that old tree could tell quite a story of the journey of the pioneers traveling west by her.

This sign tells the story of how the Oregon Trail Ruts got in the rock. I think it reads like it was written by a committee... what do you think?

Frisco Fire

This afternoon we heard sirens and looked out the west window to see a fire on the mountainside. We went for supper and when we came back the helicopter was dropping the water on the fire...

We watched the show and even as I post this the fight is still on as the darkness covers the mountain.

It looks to be getting smaller and I am sure it will be under control soon.

Back and forth he goes and dumps his load of water.

Here is the "firewoman" observing the fire from her third floor perch.

Hiking Near Frisco

Saturday we got up and hiked near Frisco. Or I should say I hiked as the girls didn't like it so well and left me to go it alone.
The hike followed a beautiful mountain stream which I can't get enough of...

and past an abandoned mine shaft...

and an unusual red pine cone growing on the new growth of a small pine...

and a wild rose.

Off to Breckenridge for the afternoon

Today we were feeling a little closed in so we went to the mountains.

First we went for a walk near Lake Dillon and then had lunch and off to Breckenridge, nine miles away. It is bursting with shopping, spring flowers and has...
a beautiful mountain stream running through the middle of town where I spent my time while the ladies shopped.

Now there are three

Tonight we took a walk toward Lake Dillon and saw geese, this beaver dam and this little critter eating supper on his perch.

Earlier today we went to our favorite breakfast place... and said "good-bye" to cousin Pat who left for Sante Fe and home. So we went to the outlet malls and did a little shopping. These two pictures were taken from the mall.
Yes, there is a trout stream that runs through it and beautiful mountains surrounding it. How many outlet malls have this setting? Sort of reminds me of malls in Grand Forks.

Marilyn took this one... yes, she can take pictures if she wants to... which she doesn't often want to do.

A Mountain Hike

Today we met Jerry and Sue from the Steamboat Rock area who came for the wedding and stayed for a few days in Breckenridge. We had breakfast at one of our favorite places - The Butterhorn Bakery in Frisco.
Then we packed a lunch and drove up a mountain for a short hike and lunch overlooking Frisco and the Lake Dillon area.
Cousin Pat and I took pictures... I think they took me along to carry the ice chest.

What a view! I would like a log cabin right here. The brown trees are the result of Pine Beetle infestation which has killed thousands of trees in the forest. We noticed a huge difference just from two years ago when we were last here... I guess there is nothing they can do but let nature take its course.

We ended the day with a hike near the condo by Lake Dillon... what a beautiful day!

Just for Jan

Sister-in-law Jan says she likes "wildlife" pictures over people pictures (not), so here are a few wildlife pictures just for her. Enjoy...

Final celebration and off to the mountains

After the 50th anniversary for Norm and Jan, and the final hugs and kisses fifty-two of us headed to the Flying W Ranch for supper and show...
The show had a definite western flavor but about 1200 of us had dinner and listened to the corny jokes and foot stomping music.

All this activity was almost too much for some of us....

So with final good-byes to the cousins and family...

We (Marilyn, Carrie, Cousin and Pat and I) headed toward the mountains.

And now we are settled into our condo in Frisco... brrr it was 54 here this afternoon and we feel like we are back in ND.